Government Called The Armed Criminal Group In Papua As Terrorist!

Menkopolhukam Mahfud MD (Photo: Documentation of Kemenko Polhukam Public Relations)

JAKARTA - The government affirms that all organizations and people who are members of and support the separatist movement are terrorists. Including the armed criminal group (KKB) in Papua.

This was conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD after a series of attacks carried out by armed criminal groups (KKB) in Papua.

"The government considers that organizations and people in Papua who commit massive violence are categorized as terrorists", Mahfud said in a press conference held at his office, Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta, Thursday, April 29.

This attitude, he continued, is in line with the statements of a number of figures and organizations, such as the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), the National Police (Polri), the National Army (TNI) to the Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

"And the fact that many Papuan community and customary leaders came to the office of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs as well as the official Papuan leadership who expressed support for the government to do what is necessary to deal with the recent violence in Papua", he said.

The former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) said that recently there have been many acts of violence and brutal acts committed by the KKB in Papua. In fact, not a few civilians were victims of the KKB's brutality.

For this reason, in accordance with the provisions contained in Law Number 5 of 2018, it is fitting that this KKB be categorized as a terrorist.

"This is in accordance with the provisions of Law Number 5 of 2018 in which what is said to be a terrorist is anyone who threatens, mobilizes, and organizes terrorism", Mahfud said.

"Meanwhile, terrorism is any act that uses violence or threats of violence that creates a widespread atmosphere of terror or fear that can cause mass casualties", he concluded.